escordvi | The Light is Off But I Still Work

Entry tags:

The Light is Off But I Still Work

Who: Darin Altway and You!
Status: Open
Where: Eltrut and Nogard
What: MANTA quests and general catch-all
Warnings: Will Mark As Needed

-SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THESE-

[Darin sure as hell has no idea where this Tapir plushie craze came from but the markets are absolutely inundated with stalls selling tapir themed wraps and goods. A few days ago, that wouldn't have been a problem. He wasn't all that interested and fads come and go. He's a tradesman, he knows how it is.]

[But then he heard about what the tapir plushies do. And considering that someone precious to him is in some sort of sleep coma, he decided to go out and grab one. How hard could it be?]

[Hard enough that every stall is showing they're out of stock. And when one pops up with stock, they're overwhelmed within minutes.]

[So now, Darin's camping out one of the lesser known corners of the market on Eltrut. He's been out here all night and it's now 8 AM. Someone in this corner of the market is going to have a plushie and dammit he's going to get it. Trouble is...he's not the only one looking to get a plushie here.]

...Is it bad form to use your god-gifted superpowers to snag a plushie ahead of a bunch of crazed, entitled shoppers? That's bad form, right?

[He's talking to himself but hey, you're free to be there to help him.]

[Or compete with him.]

-PAINTED SKULL-O-LANTERNS-

[Coming from a world that usually has harvest festivals this time of year, hearing about all of the spooky happenings and upcoming events doesn't have Darin especially thrilled. He's got enough on his mind as it is! And while Darin might not be the most superstitious sort, he'll tend to try anything once. Especially if it means warding off scary monsters or even death itself.]

[Besides, decorating the forge could be fun.]

[So, he's sitting out front of the Starmetal Forge with a basket of (hopefully) fake skulls. He's got a small table set up and a whole bunch of paints and...a potter's wheel? Darin places a skull down on the center of the wheel and begins to spin it, then selects a color of paint and carefully drips it on the spinning skull, creating wild, circular designs. He's also making a big mess and he has more paint on him than he does the skull.]

[But there's plenty of room for someone to join him! And plenty of skulls and paint to go around. Hopefully you have a smock of your own if you're worried about making a mess. Because you probably will.]

-STARMETAL SPARRING-

[Darin has had a lot of nervous and anxious energy to get out. He hasn't had the focus to work on any projects at the forge. He's got too much on his mind to sit at home and work on personal projects. And with his body healing up nicely after crossing paths with Ganondorf, he's itching to start training. Problem is, how does he start? Well, if there's one thing he's learned is that riftfarers seem to have all sorts of crazy powers. And learning to adapt to their abilities would not only give him some valuable training, but it'd allow him to blow off some steam as well!]

[He's fashioned a small sparring area behind the Starmetal Forge. Nothing inherently fancy but enough room to move around in. He mostly uses it to test some of his projects but...well, today he's repurposing it. Finally, he hangs a sign out front that reads:]

Feelin' Frustrated? Come On In For a Pounding!

[Does Darin understand the connotations of that sign? You be the judge!]

-INFILTRATE AND LIBERATE PART 2-

[After the recovery of the tragic cargo last month, Darin's been keeping abreast of the situation regarding the victims' treatment. Since it looks like the victims can be saved after the crystals are painstakingly shaved off, Darin is currently researching and engineering a way to make the process even the slightest bit less arduous.]

[He's hunched over his workbench at the Starmetal Forge, toying with some precision tools. There's a small pile of elemental stones nearby that he's currently rummaging through.]

Gotta be a way to magically enhance the edge of a knife or scalpel...my first instinct is wind but...ice could work too. Or fire? Heating the crystal might make it easier to remove...

-UNDERWATER RUINS- HIDDEN CHAMBER

[Somehow, checking out these ruins without a certain somebody by his side isn't as fun as he was hoping. How is it he's gone on two expeditions and he's gone alone each time? He heaves a despondent sigh as he wanders into the large chamber. He wouldn't be surprised if someone was already here...these ruins have been around for over a month now. But he had to get off Eltrut for a bit. Even for a day. And being able to examine ruins would at least give him something to distract himself.]

[Darin stops and takes a careful look around the room. All of the mirrors had to serve a purpose, right?]

Why so many mirrors? They're just going to reflect themselves...

[Darin drops to a sitting position and pulls out his notebook. He starts to sketch the room in its entirety as he puzzles out the...well, the puzzle.]

(OOC: Please feel free to top-level with something else if these prompts don't work for you! And if you want to double check an idea with me, hit me up through PM or on

bitterbearface)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

If you know an actual port authority, I'm not going to protest.

[He shrugs. Artificial demand for toys is ... kind of low on the list of INJUSTICES.]

If we were back in my world, it'd be easy - I've got weight and connections to throw around.

But... we can probably claim one of those toys for free as "evidence".

...Don't our shellphones have a 'record' function?

Good thinking.

Hit record while we talk to the owner. You have a pocket where it can record out of sight?

Yeah, I've got several.

Alright, you're bad cop, right? I think I was bad cop last time.

Oh, I'm the worst cop.

You can guarantee it.

Alright...

[Darin gestures over to one of the stall owners who looks particularly nonplussed by the crowd beginning to form. They all know he has what they want. But what they don't know is that the first people in line are oddly calm.]

That guy. He's the one I've been watching.

Let's go.

All right then. Follow my lead.

[Somewhere between where they stand and the stall owner, Garrus' steps change. From that calm swagger of his to something more... predatory. Purposeful strides, shoulders squared back, and his mandibles flexed up off his teeth.]

[A couple of the crowd glance his way and then shift aside.]

Excuse me. [It's not a request.] Shopkeep. We need to have a word about your operation here.

[Darin shoves his hands in his pockets where he finds his shellphone. He's gotten good enough with it that he can hit 'record' discreetly.]

[By the time he catches up with Garrus, he's already recording.]

[The shopkeep, a portly man in dire need of a shave, looks up at Garrus.]

Aye? And what sort of word do ye need to have? I'm opening up soon so if you're here for what everyone else is lined up for well...you might have a hard time if you try n'cut the line.

That's precisely what we're here about.

[His voice drops, with the vibration more prominent. Like a growl just on the edge of hearing.]

Can't help but notice how many familiar faces there are in your little crowd. There's been a lot of talk about these plush things lately. And how high the resale value is.

[A couple steps closer. All... seven feet of him.]

It's weird. How many people keep coming back here. Specifically. And they're always first in line.

[The shopkeep stands up a bit straighter. The body language is defensive. Garrus can recognize it from a mile away more than likely.]

Aye they tend to camp out. No business of mine what they do with them once they've bought their share.

[Darin steps a little closer but his attention is on the group at the front of the line. They're watching this exchange with more than a little passing interest.]

Oh, you've noticed too. The same ones? Over and over again? Once or twice is a coincidence.

Three days in a row is a pattern. And I think you know that.

[His shoulders roll, and he makes a show of flexing his hands. Oh, huh. He needs to get his talons filed, damn.]

It'd be a real shame if local authorities found out about it. I'm sure they'd be really interested.

Pah!

[The shopkeep lets out a single, derisive, dismissive laugh.]

What care do I have if they're always the ones first in line? What they do with my wares is no concern of mine! But I do not care for what you're implying!

[Darin notes that the shopkeep's not lowering his voice...which means he's trying to make sure others hear the conversation. Darin's not intimidated in the slightest but he can't help but wonder what the endgame here is. Is it just about making money?]

You're going to care for it a lot less if you don't start talking.

[A glance around. Sure enough, the patrons are studiously looking the other way.]

What's the deal here? You certain people in first, get first dibs - and then they resell, sure. A lot of fuss for a toy.

What is this really? Smuggling?

It's called supply and demand. They demand and I supply. If you've got issues with the way I do business, friend, then might I suggest patronizing the other stalls?

[He's managing to stand his ground while remaining somewhat cooperative. But he's not cracking just yet.]

You think I know why these are so popular? I'm just chasing trends, my friends. I'm sure that will change in a month or so. You know how it is.

[Except Darin knows that's not it. He's a tradesman, he knows how this works. He's raking in a portion of the resale profits but to what end? Where's he getting that much product? And so quickly?]

[Darin looks around at some of the other stalls. Why don't any of the other businesses have this level of stock...?]

I know how it is. Oh, do I ever know how it is. I know... you know more than you're letting on.

[Okay, we're getting right in his face, then. All teeth and plating and leashed energy.]

Why so many in stock? Why always the same people in front? Everything I'm seeing here is screaming smuggling. And when I see crap like that, I get really tired of people lying.

All I have to do is ask my friend to look the other way, and we have a little heart to heart alone.

[Smuggling? No, smuggling doesn't make sense. If this were a smuggling ring then having the same people at the front every time would give that away. They're either piss-poor smugglers or—]

I am getting tired of these baseless accusations! I am simply trying to capitalize on a trend! Why don't you hop in line and try your luck, friend? If you get one, perhaps they'll let you rest easier!

[The merchant laughs and Darin's attention immediately snaps around.]

[There's only one explanation as to why his stock is so high compared to others.]

...Garrus.

[He needs to see the stock. Get him in there, Garrus.]

Then you won't mind if we inspect the merch. Will you?

[Yeah, he hears you, Darin. But he's not going to take his eyes off the guy.]

Go on, Darin. [Okay, he'd have preferred they figured out something better to call each other just in case, but now, thinking about it, they probably should have done that ahead of time.] If he really wants us to back off, he'll let us look.

Won't he.

[From the tone he's taking, there's no way that's a request.]

[When the topic of inspecting the wares comes up, the merchant knows he's in a bind. He could demand they back off, but that draws attention and they could go to the proper authorities. And if he lets Darin look the wares over...well...]

[It's a Catch 22 and right now, he has to bank on Darin not knowing what he's talking about.]

...I...very well. I have nothing to hide if you are so adamant about making fools of yourselves!

[His tone is indignant but there's anxiety in his movements. His body language. He steps aside and allows Darin to look over his wares.]

[Darin steps up and glosses over the cart. Sure enough, he's got dozens and dozens of the damn plushes. Darin carefully scans them, picking them up one at a time. The merchant likely wasn't counting on Darin's eye for detail. As a tradesman himself, he knows what to look for in terms of quality. Specifically when it comes to stitching.]

[As he combs through the product, he begins to notice some things. Specifically that a subset of these plushes have very obvious, uniform stitching. There's consistency. The rest? The quality is all over the map.]

[He knew it.]

...Counterfeits. That's how you have so much stock. You're supplementing the stock you do get with fakes. That's why the same people are always first in line. You sell the legit stock to them, they kick back a percentage on the resale, and you rake in the money with the counterfeits...

[Darin can feel his damn blood boiling. He used to see similar work back home and on his pride as a tradesman? He won't stand for it.]

That's better. Cooperation always ends better for people involved.

[Not that he was actually going to, you know, hurt the guy. But the shopkeeper doesn't need to know that. He doesn't budge while Darin steps forward. Keeping the man blocked in against the wagon and Garrus himself. He's big and bulky even out of armor, so it works. Not as well as someone like Wrex, but oh well.]

[And he doesn't even bother trying to hide the amusement on his face while the man fidgets.]

Well... you were right. It's not smuggling. [Wow he sure sounds smug.] Question is now. What do we do with you? Hm?

Darin, how about you go alert the crowd? I think I want a private word with this "businessman".

[I'm going to kick his ass.]

[Darin supposes that's his cue.]

Now hold on...

Maybe we can make a deal. You let me buy one of the legitimate plushes and we walk away. You won't see us again.

[He's not lying. He has every intention of letting Garrus turn the recording over to the authorities.]

I only need one.

[Fortunately, Darin's deftly pocketed one of the counterfeits while Garrus held the merchant's attention. He'd need proof of the counterfeiting, after all.]

What do you say?

[He's silent for a long moment. Just staring the shopkeeper down. Waiting to see if the man is going to crack, and waiting just long enough to sell the "decision".]

... Fine.

[A sharp exhale. And he steps backward, giving the man breathing room.]

You're lucky my friend has a conscience. I hate letting criminals off the hook. If I ever hear about this kind of crap again, and he's not around...

[The merchant is sweating bullets. With the counterfeits exposed, he has to play ball with them.]

V-Very well! But only one and I never see either of you again!

[Darin smirks and paws through the piles of plushes until he selects one that speaks to him. He walks over to the merchant and shells out the dubloons necessary. But before the merchant can take his hand away, Darin grabs it with an unnaturally strong grip.]

...You'd really risk your livelihood over counterfeit plushies? Really? Was the money that important?

[The merchant looks him square in the eye.]

It's business, friend. Sometimes you need to think outside of the box to get ahead in this world.

[Darin's silent for a moment, then releases the merchant's hand. It's as good a confession as he'll get without seeming too suspicious. Still...there's a part of him that wants to tear this entire stall down.]

[Plush in hand, he turns to Garrus.]

Got what we need. Let's get out of here.

[He does not look away from the shopkeeper. Not even once. Just waiting while Darin does his thing. Even when his friend grasps the merchant's hand. He keeps his eyes on him. Not that he really thinks this guy is going to do anything stupid, now, but it sells the effect for sure.]

[Only when indicated does he move away from where he's boxed the guy in. Watching him out of the corner of one eye until they walk away. Until they're physically too far to be seen, or heard.]

[Deep breath.]

[And then he puts a hand on the nearest building and promptly doubles over. Is he sick? What's he doing? Is he wheezing - ]

[Nope. This fool is laughing.]

I - damn, I thought he was going to just lose it right there. His face... !

Oh, just wait.

[Darin holds up the counterfeit he pocketed along with his shellphone.]

We've got him dead to rights with these babies~

[He glances up, sees the look on Darin's face. Sees the counterfeit. Sees the shellphone.]

[And then promptly doubles back over again.]

Oh - damn it, my face hurts.

The Light is Off But I Still Work

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